Mina started choking on a large piece of meat this afternoon. She flopped over and couldn't breathe and I just felt my heart drop. I am trying to think of a time when I've been so scared, so helpless. I just can't.

I had no idea what to do. She was flip-flopping like a fish out of water. I tried to press right below her chest cavity. Oh god, I was panicking, and I do. not. panic. But there I was, hyperventilating, holding my dog, trying to push whatever was stuck out of her.

She finally swallowed it and looked at me in confusion. She ran away from me and wouldn't let me touch her. She got her toy and just sat there, wagging her tail, looking at me in concern.

I'm still sitting here, my hands shaking.

She is totally fine.

I'll look into emergency first aid for companion dogs. Any website suggestions? That helplessness. That fear. That shaky removal of my center. I do not want to feel that again. I never ever want to be unable to help Mina (if I can), to see her....I have no words. It was so awful.

OH MY GOD. i'm so glad she's okay! i know this feeling so well and it is terrible, terrible. i am sending a huge ton of good vibes your way, loving positive healthy safe dog thoughts, because she's not even MINE and i got teary and anxious reading your post. :( i know how terrified you must have been.

I'm glad to hear she's okay! That has to be terrifying. :/ Others have said it, but I'm sure there's a local pet CPR class out there. I used to have a booklet on it, but I can't remember if it had the Heimlich or just CPR for dogs...

that is very scary! and makes me realize i wouldnt have known what to do either. i mean i know the heimlich maneuver (hindlick remover) for people but not for dogs. i dont know any cpr for dogs either.